SETTING THE ORCHARD AND CARING FOR IT 151 



no attention is given to getting them in straight Hnes, but 

 when an orchard is to be set out care is usually taken to have 

 the trees in straight rows. To do this requires careful meas- 

 uring and the setting of a stake where each tree is to stand. 

 Even after this is done it is difficult to dig the hole and set the 

 tree so that it will stand exactly where the stake stood. 

 "The only method by which this can be done is by having 

 a stake set wherever a tree is to stand, then have a board 

 about six inches wide and six feet long (as shown in Fig. 28) . 

 Cut a notch in one side at the middle just about large enough 



-6Ft.— 



28. A PLANTING BOARD 

 An easy device for setting trees in line 



15 



for the stem of the tree, bore a hole in each end exactly the 

 same distance from the middle notch. Then, whenever a tree 

 is to be planted, place the board on the ground with the 

 notch around the stake and stick two other pegs through the 

 holes in the ends, remove the board, leaving the two pins 

 remaining, dig the hole, replace the board and set the tree 

 with the stem in the notch."* Such a board as described 

 above is called a planting board and is very helpful. 



The distance apart to set trees is important. Trees which 

 grow large and live many years should be set far apart. 

 Trees which have small tops when grown and which do not 

 live many years can be set quite close. In setting large 

 orchards care should be taken that there is room enough 

 between trees so that teams and wagons can be driven be- 

 tween them when gathering the fruit, spraying the trees, or 



* Bulletin 152, Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania. . 



